Part-2: Activities of Central Commi

[mg_myanmar@xxxxxxxxx]

Subject: Part-2: Activities of Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control (CCDAC) in 1999

"Activities of Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control (CCDAC) in 1999"
( Part-2)

(3)  MARCH, 1999


Progress of Fourth International Heroin Conference reviewed 

YANGON, 6 Mar - A review meeting on holding of the Fourth International Heroin Conference was held at the Ministry of Home Affairs this afternoon, attended by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt. 

Also present at the meeting were Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung, Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing, Minister for Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt, deputy ministers, the Deputy Attorney-General, the Deputy Commander, the Director-General of Myanmar Police Force, officials of the State Peace and Development Council office, departmental heads, members of the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control (CCDAC), members of the Leading Committee for organizing the conference and sub-committees. 

In his address, Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt spoke about Myanmar's hosting of the Fourth International Heroin Conference from 23 to 26 February with the sponsorship of the Interpol and cited its objectives. 

He said that while Myanmar is striving for eradication of narcotic drugs, the menace to the entire humanity, with national outlook, it energetically cooperated and hosted the conference. 

For Myanmar's hosting of the conference, the US and some European countries criticized 'the Interpol and made protests against it under the pretexts of democracy and human rights, and persuaded other members not to attend the conference, he said. 

As Myanmar has already resolved for eradication of narcotic drugs with national conviction, the conference could be organized in Yangon with the encouragement and support of the Interpol, he said and added that the nations which attended the conference must be recognized as those having done an act of preventing the danger against the entire human race. 

The Secretary-1 noted that despite some nations' protests against the conference, 70 officials of 27 nations, two organizations and the Interpol attended the conference this was success of the Interpol and the host nation Myanmar. 

He also spoke of the opportunity for the delegates to witness the annual destruction of the seized narcotic drugs, visit Laukkai region where poppy substitute crop cultivation project is being carried out for eradication of narcotic drugs and study Myanmar government's measures for eradication of narcotic drugs and, law enforcement bodies' actions for supply reduction so that they can let the world know these facts through media, and noted that this will automatically turn down the one-sided accusations made by the West bloc. 

He said that Myanmar Police Force had the experience of hosting the six MoU nation meeting in 1995 before organizing the conference and noted that there might be some weaknesses in the programmes, the conference was successful also due to collaboration of other related ministers and departments, the Office of the Strategic Studies and the Directorate of Defence Services Intelligence and Yangon Command. 

The Secretary-1 also dealt with ancient Myanmar Kings' efforts for eradication of the deadly drugs, the British's distribution of opium in Myanmar brought in from India after the First Anglo-Myanmar War in 1826, spread of the deadly drugs within three years after the annexation, the British's establishment of poppy plantations on Chin Hills, Kachin region and Shan region after bringing in the seeds from Assam. India the KMT troops' monopoly of opium cultivation and opium production in northern and eastern Shan State in 1968, the successive governments' endeavours For control of narcotic drugs and various operations against on opium refineries, and traffickers. 

He said that due to the governments's goodwill and correct actions of the national brethren, 17 armed groups returned to the legal fold. 

Seizures made by Tatmadaw, MPF and Customs Departments From 18-9-88 to 31-12-98 were as follows:
        Opium                               28,385.891 kilos
        Heroin                               4,125.3104 kilos
        Marijuana                            6,606.235 kilos
        Phensedyl                        33,807.8114 kilos
        Ephedrine                          6,239.1221 kilos
        Stimulants                          26,961,843 tablets
        Other chemicals                  43,003.35 gallons and 98 opium refineries were destroyed. 

Seized drugs were destroyed in Yangon for the 13 times.
        Opium                               20,523.581 kilos
        Heroin                                3,291.341 kilos
        Morphine                               192.469 kilos
        Opium oil                                 126.30 kilos
        Liquid opium                            85.698 kilos
        Marijuana                            3,443.457 kilos
        Phensedyl                          25,112.774 litres
        Injection with opium                   1,405 bottles
        Comethazine                         6,708.95 litres
        Stimulants                          23,574,284 tablets were destroyed. 

National people themselves destroyed the following narcotic drugs in border areas for 19 times.
        Poppy plantation                                  7,836 acres
        Opium refinery                                        21 nos.
        Opium                                          3,122.383 kilos
        Heroin                                            405.905 kilos
        Morphine                                          245.67 kilos
        Phensedyl                                         689.75 litres
        Low grade opium                              59.472 kilos
        Stimulants                                      715,492 tablets
        Acetic anhydride                                 4,159 gallons
        Other chemicals                                  5,973 gallons
        Other chemicals powder                  2,320.49 kilos. 

Altogether 82,469.32 acres and 326.83 tons of opium were destroyed from 1998 to 31 December 1998. 

He said Myanmar made a lot of seizures and destruction of narcotic drugs, but some big nations it. 

He said Myanmar carried out above-mentioned anti-drug activities in her own way and with the cooperation of international communities. Myanmar signed international conventions such as: The International Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961; The Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971; and The United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 1988, he added. 

Continuing, he said, Myanmar cooperated with DEA of the United States beginning 1974. It has also signed bilateral narcotic drugs control agreements with India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, the Russian Federation, LPDR and the Philippines and Memorandum of Understanding on narcotic drugs control in the Sub-region with China, LPDR, Thailand and UNDCP. 

The Secretary-1 said after Myanmar became a member of ASEAN, it took part in ASEAN's anti-drug and cooperation programmes. Myanmar is committed to supply control and demand reduction with or without international assistance. 

He spoke on implementation of the 15-year project on eradication of narcotic drugs in accord with the guidance of Senior General Than Shwe, active participation in the narcotic drugs crackdown under ancient Myanmar kings and after regaining the independence and Myanmar's determination to implement the present project successfully. 

Minister Col Tin Hlaing recalled the offer to hold the Fourth International Heroin Conference in Myanmar by International Criminal Police Organization, formation of Leading Committee and Sub-committees, cooperation of respective departments, holding of the 13th ceremony to destroy seized narcotic drugs, arrangement on study tour to Lwe Hsat Village near Laukkai and Mongyaw for delegates to the conference and officials of Interpol, success of the conference, delegates' satisfaction on arrangements and gaining benefits in international cooperation and related work by publicizing anti-drug measures among international communities. 

Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung reported on emergence of opportunity to hold the conference and measures undertaken for successfully holding the conference. 

Secretary of CCDAC Police Maj-Gen Soe Win reported on preparations and measures undertaken and member of CCDAC on discussions and experience on study tour in border areas. 

Officials reported on work undertaken for the conference. 

The Secretary-1 made a concluding speech. He said the Leading Committee and various sub-committees had successfully carried out works on the conference. In holding international meetings and State-sponsored ceremonies, the main department has to implement the work with the assistance of other departments and such practice is successful. He learnt that conference delegates witnessed the difference between what they beard through some broadcasting stations and what they saw in Myanmar. He said some broadcasting stations are attempting to downplay the true situation in Myanmar and the government's anti-narcotic efforts without reporting the truth about them. 

He said the delegates would distribute authentic news and true situations in Myanmar when they were back in their respective regions and they knew Myanmar's efforts being made with difficulty for eradication of narcotic drugs. 

The Secretary-1 spoke on completion of records on the conference and other matters. 


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(4)  APRIL, 1999

Preliminary meeting held on Myanmar-Thai cooperation in drug control 

YANGON, 19 Apr - A preliminary meeting on Myanmar-Thai cooperation in eradication of narcotic drugs and stimulants took place at the meeting hall of the Ministry of Home Affairs, this morning. 

Present on the occasion were Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing, and members of Law Enforcement Work Committee and officials of the Ministry of Defence and CCDAC Office. 

They discussed preparations to pave the way for Myanmar-Thai representatives to discuss cooperation, in drug abuse control. preparations for Myanmar-Thai-Lao drug abuse control meeting and implementation of the resolutions passed by 42nd meeting of UN Drug Control Programme.


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(5)  MAY, 1999

Minister arrives back after attending Drug Abuse Control Ministerial Meeting of MoU six countries 

YANGON, 23 May - A Myanmar delegation led by Vice-Chairman of the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt arrived back here by air this evening after attending Drug Abuse Control Ministerial Meeting of MoU six countries in Vientiane, the Lao People's Democratic Republic, on 21 May. 

Members of the delegation-Secretary of CCDAC Director-General of Myanmar Police Force Police Maj-Gen Soe Win, Deputy Director General Lt-Col Myint Swe of Department for Development of Border Areas and National Races, Director of CCDAC Office Police Col Khin Aung and Major Maung Maung Kyaw of the Ministry of Defence also arrived back. 

A ceremony to open the Drug Abuse Control Ministerial Meeting of MoU-six countries was held in Vientiane, Lao PDR, on 21 May morning, with an address by Prime Minister of Lao PDR Mr Sisavath Keibounphanh. 

Present on the occasion were ministers from Cambodia, People' s Republic of China, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. 

After the opening ceremony, leader of Myanmar delegation Minister Col Thein Nyunt delivered an address. He said Myanmar is focusing on the UNDCP projects eradication of narcotic drugs, reducing drug abuse and annual cultivation of opium and destruction of narcotic drugs which were seized. Cultivation of opium substitute crops is being implemented by Government of the Union of Myanmar, he added. Myanmar is actively undertaking opium elimination in accord with Strategic Plan for Elimination of Narcotic Drugs, he said. 

At 5.45 pm, Minister Col Thein Nyunt together with other representative ministers called on President of Lao PDR Mr Khamtay Siphandone at the Hawkham Palace. 

Member of the delegation Secretary of CCDAC Director-General of MPF Police Maj-Gen Soe Win and members attended the Drug Abuse Control High-Ranking Officials Meeting of MoU six countries in Vientiane from 18 to 20 May and reported on narcotic drugs control being jointly carried out by UNDCP and the Union of Myanmar, with the aid of video documentaries.

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Thai NCB Secretary-General and delegation arrive 

YANGON, 24 May - A nine-member Thai delegation led by Secretary-General of Thai Narcotic Control Board (NCB) Mr Payont Pantsri arrived here by air today to attend the Meeting on Myanmar-Thai Joint Narcotic Drug Control here. 

They were welcomed at Yangon International Airport by Secretary of the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control Director-General of Myanmar Police Force Col Soe Win, senior police officers, officials of Thai Embassy and other officials. 

The delegation called on Chairman of CCDAC Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing. 

Also present on the occasion were member of CCDAC Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, Secretary of CCDAC Director-General of MPF Col Soe Win, the Deputy Director-General of MPF and officials. 

Col Tin Hlaing extended greetings to the guests and spoke of the endeavours for eradication of narcotic drugs in Myanmar. 

Director-General of MPF Col Soe Win and Myanmar officials held discussions with Secretary-General of Thai NCB Mr Payont Pantsri and party at the Forest Department Guest House on Shwetaunggyar Street. 

They discussed the joint cooperation in control of precursors used in producing narcotic drugs and amphetamine. 

The meeting was also attended by Head of Department of the Office of Strategic Studies Col Kyaw Thein, CCDAC members, officials of the Ministry for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung hosted dinner for the guests at Yangon Royal City Hotel.

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Thai delegation tours Shan State (East) 

YANGON, 26 May - The Thai delegation led by Secretary-General of Thai Narcotic Control Board (NCB) Mr Payont Pantsri and Director-General of Thai Police Force Police General Pracha Promong, together with Secretary of the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control Director-General of Myanmar Police Force Police Maj-Gen Soe Win, Head of Department of the Office of the Strategic Studies Col Kyaw Thein of the Ministry of Defence, Deputy Director-General of the Department for the Progress of Border Areas and National Races Lt-Col Myint Swe and officials, left for Kengtung by Tatmadaw aircraft yesterday morning. 

On arrival there, they were welcomed by Deputy Commander of Triangle Region Command Brig-Gen Myint Swe and senior military officers. 

Then, they arrived at Wanpon Agricultural Farm in Lwehsansaw region, Monghsat Township, by Tatmadaw aircraft in the afternoon. 

They were welcomed there by Tactical Operations Commander Col Tin Maung Ohn and Wa national race leader U Pauk Yu Ei of Special Region-2 and local national people. 

They heard reports on cultivation of Lychee plants under the opium substitute agricultural programme and works for regional development. 

Afterwards, they proceeded to Mongla in Shan State (East). 

They were welcomed there by national race leader U Sai Lin and local national people. 

They observed measures taken for the opium-free zone and development of Mongla. 

Joint Commander of Shan state (East) Police Force Police Col Saw Hse Wah Nyunt hosted a dinner in honour of the Thai delegation at the New Kengtung Hotel at night. 

This morning, the delegation visited Hongpan Pig Farm covered by the opium substitute livestock breeding programme of Wa Special Region-2 at Mongsin Village, Kengtung Township. 

The in-charge and officials of the farm explained matters related to opium substitute agriculture and livestock breeding. 

Then, they left Kengtung and arrived back here at 1.00 am. The Thai delegation, which arrived here on 24 May to attend the Meeting on Myanmar-Thai Joint Narcotic Drug Control, left for Thailand by air at 7.30 pm today. 

The delegation was seen off at Yangon International Airport by Director-General of Myanmar Police Force Police Maj-Gen Soe Win and senior police officers and officials of Thai Embassy.


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To be continued.
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Mg Myanmar
A Myanmar citizen who loves Myanmar

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